Continuous curve panel structure

ABSTRACT

A system for securing building fascia panels along an edge following a locus. There is provided a system for securing building fascia panels along an edge following a locus. The system comprises a rod shaped to define the locus and a plurality of tabs, each outwardly extending from a corresponding sleeve. The sleeves are pivotally supported in adjacent fashion on the rod to define the edge. The sleeves and corresponding tabs when supported on the rod are configured so as to securely receive, on alternating tabs, sets of panels which meet along the edge. The relative angle between the adjacent tabs on the rod defines the angle between the sets of panels secured to those tabs.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

There are no pending applications related to this application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a building structure system which permits variable angle change between adjacent fascia panels, and other types of panels, along a defined edge. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system that permits construction of fascia and other types of panels in free form, for example along a continuously curving line.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Presently irregularly shaped free form facades for buildings are extremely difficult to construct. Where barrel vault roofs or curved buildings are constructed, difficulties in mechanically interconnecting variably curved panels at their leading edges are incurred. Conventional constructions often provide dangerous edges where metal panels, in two separate planes, meet. Of background interest is U.S. Pat. No. 7,051,487, issued May 30, 2006 of Jones, in which a conservatory roof structure is described and illustrated, the structure requiring a relatively sophisticated and expensive connector assembly.

The system of the present invention is designed particularly for mechanical interconnection of variably curved panels at their leading edges, and has application for example in roof, fascia and soffit interfaces.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a system of mechanically interconnecting panels along edges which can range from straight to compound curvature, while permitting variable angle change between adjacent sets of panels on each side of the edge.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a system for securing building fascia panels along an edge following a locus. There is provided a system for securing building fascia panels along an edge following a locus. The system comprises a rod shaped to define the locus and a plurality of tabs, each outwardly extending from a corresponding sleeve. The sleeves are pivotally supported in adjacent fashion on the rod to define the edge. The sleeves and corresponding tabs when supported on the rod are configured so as to securely receive, on alternating tabs, sets of panels which meet along the edge. The relative angle between the adjacent tabs on the rod defines the angle between the sets of panels secured to those tabs.

In a preferred embodiment, each sleeve has hexagonally positioned faces defining its outer periphery to facilitate gripping the sleeve to hold the corresponding tab in position for securing a panel thereto. Each tab is offset to one side towards one side along the hexagonal faces of its corresponding sleeve.

In a further embodiment, there is provided a system for securing building fascia panels at variable angles along opposite edges of a central set of panels defining a central panel course. The opposite edges each define a distinctive locus for that edge. The system comprises, along each edge of the central set of panels, a rod shaped to define the locus of the corresponding edge of the central panel and a plurality of tabs, each outwardly extending from a corresponding sleeve. The sleeves are pivotally supported in adjacent fashion on the pod to define the corresponding edge. The sleeves and corresponding tabs when supported on the rod are configured so as to securely receive, on alternating tabs, corresponding edge portions of the central set of panels and an adjacent set of panels which meet along that edge. The relative angle between the adjacent tabs on the rod defines the angle between the two sets of panels secured to those tabs.

As will be described in more detail hereinafter, the system according to the present invention provides a simple, economical and effective approach for constructing free form fascia having curved edges where adjacent sets of panels meet. Furthermore, because of the nature of this system, even though the panels may be metal sheets, no sharp, and hence dangerous, edges are provided along those edges.

While the invention will be described in conjunction with illustrated embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to such embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the present patent specification as a whole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon referring to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sleeve and tab according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial, perspective view of a rod, on which sleeves and corresponding tabs have been positioned, illustrating a central aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a lateral section view of a sleeve tab and rod of FIG. 2, with a panel secured thereto, further illustrating an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged detail of a pair of panels, on opposite sides of an edge, in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a free form fascia structure, secured to the side of a wall of a building, incorporating the system according to the present invention.

While the invention will be described in conjunction with illustrated embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to such embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, similar features in the drawings have been given similar reference numerals. All dimensions described or suggested herein are intended solely to illustrate an embodiment. These dimensions are not intended to limit the scope of the invention that may depart from these dimensions.

Turning to FIG. 1, there is illustrated one of the central features of the building system according to the present invention, namely a sleeve 2 having a hexagonal cross section providing hexagonally positioned faces 4 longitudinally extending on the sleeve's outer periphery. A tab 6 outwardly extends from one of the faces as illustrated. While tab 6 may be of varying shapes and sizes, in the illustrated embodiment it is of rectangular shape and has a length corresponding to that of sleeve 2. As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, tab 6 is offset to one side of its corresponding face 4 on sleeve 2. Sleeve 2 and tab 6 are of integral construction, and are preferably extruded from metal such as aluminum and cut to appropriate (longitudinal) lengths. As can be seen in FIG. 2, a plurality of sleeves 2 are adjacently positioned on a rod 8. Rod 8 is of rigid construction and is preferably made of metal such as aluminum, and may be of any desired shape, as will be described in more detail hereinafter. In accordance with the present invention, sleeves 2 and their corresponding tabs 6, when supported on rod 8, are configured so as to receive, on alternating tabs 6, sets of panels 10 secured thereto by appropriate securing means 12 (rivets, bolts, etc.). The hexagonal cross-section of sleeves 2 enables those sleeves to be held firmly by an appropriate tool, such as a vice grip, so that panels 10 and tabs 6 can be drilled and panels riveted thereto on site. Panels 10, on each “side” of sleeves 2, form two sets 14 and 16 (FIG. 2) of panels 10, the panels of set 14 being secured to tabs extending to one side of rod 8 as illustrated, and the panels of set 16 secured to the tabs 6 extending to the other side. While each adjacent tab 6 is pivoted in an opposite direction to the adjacent tabs 6, in the illustrated embodiment, it will be understood that, depending upon a particular application, different arrangements of alternating tabs (e.g. two or three together in one direction, then two or three pivoted in the other direction) may be appropriate.

Panel sets 14 and 16 respectively meet sleeves 2 along appropriately shaped panel edges 18, to provide, in the finished product, a construction in which sleeves 2 on rod 8 provide a correspondingly curved edge 20, along which these panel sets 14 and 16 meet. The relative angle between adjacent tabs 6 on rod 8, at any point along the rod, defines the angle at that point between the panel sets 14 and 16. That angle is illustrated as a (alpha) in FIG. 4, where rod 8 is straight (hence in this case the angle α will be the same along the length of rod 8). As can be seen in FIG. 3, panels 10 are secured to tabs 6 on the side of each tab which is adjacent to the greater offset distance of the tab 6 on the corresponding face 4 of sleeve 2. This provides for a neat finished appearance and avoids any sharp panel edges being exposed along edges 18.

As previously suggested, rod 8 may be either linear or appropriately curved, depending upon the application. Also, rod 8 may be made up of a plurality of rods secured together, end to end, in conventional fashion. It will be readily appreciated that this construction permits compound curvature of panel sets 14 and 16 with a variable angle change between both those sets. The construction of the present invention, as previously indicated, has particularly useful applications in providing fascia and flashing for curved roofs and curved buildings, and curved features on buildings.

Turning to FIG. 5, one such application is illustrated, namely for an irregularly curved border of differing heights, about a window 24 in the side 26 of a building. This fascia border features a central set of panels 28 having, on one side, a set 30 of panels secured to tabs 6 on a continuous rod 8 (not visible) to meet along an irregularly curved edge 32, and another set 34 of panels 10 similarly arranged about another rod 8 (again not visible) to meet the other side of the central set 28 of panels along edge 36. It will be understood that the base edge 38 of side panels set 30 may be similarly secured to certain tabs 6 offset to one side on another appropriately curved rod 8 (again not visible), with the remaining tabs 6, offset towards the other side of that rod 8 and secured directly to the wall surface of building 26. An appropriate covering 40 on wall surface 38 may be provided to cover those latter tabs so they are not visible. A similar construction may be provided at the internal edge of the other (inner) set 34 of panels 10, along edge 42 which is secured to wall 26. If wall 26 is planar, it will be understood that the rods 8 which dictate the curvature of edges 38 and 42 will be appropriately curved, but all in one plane, unlike the rods of edges 32 and 36 which provide compound curvature.

Although the present invention has been described by way of a detailed description in which various embodiments and aspects of the invention have been described, it will be seen by one skilled in the art that the full scope of this invention is not limited to the examples presented herein. The invention has a scope which is commensurate with the claims of this patent specification including any elements or aspects which would be seen to be equivalent to those set out in the accompanying claims. 

1. A system for securing building fascia panels along an edge following a locus, the system comprising a rod shaped to define the locus and a plurality of tabs, each outwardly extending from a corresponding sleeve, the sleeves pivotally supported in adjacent fashion on the rod to define said edge, the sleeves and corresponding tabs when supported on the rod configured so as to securely receive, on alternating tabs, sets of panels which meet along said edge, the relative angle between adjacent tabs on the rod defining the angle between the sets of panels secured to those tabs.
 2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the rod is continuously curved.
 3. A system according to claim 1, wherein each sleeve has hexagonally positioned faces defining its outer periphery to facilitate gripping the sleeve to hold the corresponding tab in position for securing a corresponding panel thereto.
 4. A system according to claim 3, wherein each tab is offset towards one side along one of the hexagonal faces of its corresponding sleeve.
 5. A system according to claim 4, wherein each tab has a length corresponding to the length of the corresponding sleeve.
 6. A system according to claim 5, wherein each tab is of rectangular shape.
 7. A system for securing building fascia panels at variable angles along opposite edges of a central set of panels defining a central panel course, the opposite edges each defining a distinctive locus for that edge, the system comprising, along each edge of the central set of panels, a rod shaped to define the locus of the corresponding edge of the central panel and a plurality of tabs, each outwardly extending from a corresponding sleeve, the sleeves pivotally supported in adjacent fashion on the rod to define the corresponding edge, the sleeves and corresponding tabs when supported on the rod configured so as to securely receive, on alternating tabs, corresponding edge portions of the central set of panels and an adjacent set of panels which meet along that edge, the relative angle between adjacent tabs on the rod defining the angle between the two sets of panels secured to those tabs.
 8. A system according to claim 7, wherein the rods are continuously curved and the panels are secured thereto at variable angles.
 9. A system according to claim 8, wherein edges of the sets of panels remote from the edge defining where those panels meet the central panel, are secured to a common base in a manner so as to define the angles at which the panels meet along the edges.
 10. A system according to claim 9, wherein the common base is planar. 